Even Herman’s failures turn into unqualified successes

BLAIR, Neb. » I'm not there so I don't know so I'm going to ask: How do you feel about Herman Frazier, and his schedule, now?

That's the thing. Perceptions change, often, as winning percentages change. A few years ago June Jones was a dour, stubborn, possibly crazy person who was his own worst enemy. If you've forgotten, you're lucky. It was rough. (Think the Kahuku press conference.)

But then Jerry Glanville came out of retirement, and that rejuvenated Jones. And Colt Brennan ended up in the wrong dorm room ...

Now, suddenly, party like it's 1999. Jones? He's back to being a genius humanitarian with a heart of gold.

It's amazing what a little winning will do toward how people feel about you. So, with Hawaii 12-0 and in the Sugar Bowl, have you changed your mind? Is Herman a hero, too? Is the bandwagon big enough for him to hop on?

Because this is his schedule Hawaii went 12-0 with. Oh, this is a special team, a special year. It's incredible. Those guys answered every challenge. This is history. Anything you want to say about how great those guys are, I'll agree to it. These guys were taken to the limit so many times, and always found a way to answer. This is an all-time team.

But as far as Hawaii cashing that BCS-bowl check, Herman is the MVP.

This is his schedule Hawaii is 12-0 with. Again, these guys were taken to the limit so many times. Imagine them having to climb that mountain again, if they had to play one more Division I team. (Or even if they had one fewer bye week.)

The lone BCS-conference opponent that provided what might have been the most heart-stopping, exciting, last-second, toughest game of the season?

That opponent finished dead last in its league.

Imagine how exciting a game against a marquee team might have been.

Don't miss the point. These guys are all-timers. They came back from the brink when all hope was lost -- three times! (And Nevada was close, too.) Their names will be remembered 20 years from now. These guys are the reason we watch sports.

But Hawaii isn't in New Orleans if it plays USC.

This is Herman's schedule Hawaii went 12-0 with. UH getting these BCS millions is his greatest feat.

(It'll be on his bio when he makes yet another "top 50" list.)

Funny thing, though. It's one thing to succeed by accident. But this schedule wasn't an accident, it was an abject failure. And not just a failure, but a very public failure. And not just a very public failure but one during which he repeatedly and arrogantly insisted that everybody trust him, that he knew what he was doing. Insinuating that no one could handle the situation as well as he. And then ... oops.

And then ... this happened.

The grandest failure gave birth to the impossible dream. Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. Herman Frazier, MVP.

So, what do you think about Herman, and his schedule, now? At 12-0, I would think it would be time to forgive (as long as he doesn't actually try to take credit for it). I hope Hawaii fans have forgiven him, and invited him along for the ride.